Ribbon straightener

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for straightening metallic ribbon of substantially rectangular cross-section both in longitudinal direction and camber which comprises a plurality of ribbon workers spaced along a longitudinal line and adjustable toward and away from said line to control tension as well as arcuately about said line to control camber.

United States Patent Anderson et a1.

[ Mar. 26, 1974 RIBBON STRAIGHTENER Inventors: Raymond N. Anderson, Convent Station, N.J.; Stanley J. Gartner, Emporium, Pa.

Assignees: GTE Sylvania Incorporated, Seneca Falls, N.Y.; Wilbur B. Driver Co., Newark, NJ.

Filed: Sept. 19, 1972 Appl. No; 290,416

US. Cl. 72/165 Int. Cl B2ld 1/02 Field of Search 72/164, 165, 160, 162;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1916 Smith 72/165 2,720,243 10/1955 Siegerist 72/162 2,307,133 1/1943 Johnson.... 72/165 2,323,768 Hanna 72/165 1,239,175 9/1917 Gilbert 72/162 Primary Examiner--Milton S. Mehr Attorney, Agent, or FirmNorman J. OMalley; William H. McNeill; Cyril A. Krenzer [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for straightening metallic ribbon of substantially rectangular cross-section both in l0ngitudinal direction and camber which comprises a plurality of ribbon workers spaced along a longitudinal line and adjustable toward and away from said line to control tension as well as arcuately about said line to control camber.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAR 26 I974 sum 1 0F 2 RIBBON STRAIGIITENER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to straightening devices and more particularly to an apparatus for straightening metallic ribbon of substantially rectangular cross-section in both a longitudinal direction and in camber. While not so limited, it has particular application to bimetallic ribbon used as thermostat material.

Prior art devices for straightening such ribbon could not correct for camber misalignment and thus did not perform adequately.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to enhance the straightening of metallic ribbon.

It is another object of this invention to enhance the straightening of bimetallic ribbon.

A further object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for carrying out such straightening opera tions.

These objects are accomplished in one aspect of the invention by the provision of apparatus for straightening metallic ribbon of substantially rectangular crosssection both in longitudinal direction and camber. The apparatus comprises a plurality of ribbon workers aligned along both sides ofa longitudinal line. Substantially half of the ribbon workers are mounted upon a fixed arm of a frame and substantially half are mounted upon a pivoting arm of the same frame. Each of the ribbon workers comprises a rotatable roller mounted in a housing with the housing being mounted for arcuate adjustment in a base. The base is adjustable toward and away from the longitudinal line, which is the direction taken by the ribbon through the straightener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus with a moved position shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the ribbon path;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are broken perspective views of different positions of a single ribbon worker; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following specification in conjunction with the above-described drawings.

Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, there is shown in FIG. 1 a ribbon straightening apparatus 10 comprising a frame 12 having a fixed side 14 and a pivotable side 16. A plurality of ribbon workers 18 are positioned on the frame 12, substantially half on side 14 and substantially half on side 16. The direction of ribbon travel lies between the ribbon workers 18.

Each of the ribbon workers 18 comprises a rotatable roller 20 mounted in an arcuate housing 22 which in turn is mounted for arcuate adjustment in a base 24.

The arcuate adjustment is accomplished by means of screw or bolt 26 which passes through a slot 28 in up right portion 30 of base 24 and engages housing 22. Arcuate adjustment of the rollers via the above-described means allows correcting the camber in ribbon passing through apparatus 10.

The ribbon workers 18 are adjustably mounted for movement toward and away from a line defined by the direction of ribbon travel by means of grooves 32 cut into sides 14 and 16. A slot 34 centrally located within the grooves 32 cooperates with a screw or bolt 36 for adjusting the transverse position of the ribbon workers 18. FIGS. 35 show various adjusted positions of the ribbon workers 18.

At either end of apparatus 10 there is provided a fixed ribbon guide 38. This guide provides a close fitting slot 40 which accurately matches the cross-section of the ribbon being straightened.

To load the apparatus 10 bolt 42 is loosened allowing pivotable side 16 to swing outwardly about pivot point 44. This separates the opposed pairs of ribbon workers 18, which are in staggered array (see FIG. 2). A ribbon 46 to be straightened is fed through a first of the ribbon guides 38, across the rollers 20 of the ribbon workers attached to the fixed side 14 and through the second ribbon guide 38. Pivotable side 16 is then returned to its closed position and bolt 42 is tightened. Suitable apparatus, not shown, can then be used to pull ribbon 46 through straightener 10. To accurately set up the straightener a short section of ribbon 46 is pulled through the apparatus and cut off. This section of ribbon is then checked for straightness and camber and, if necessary, adjustments are made in the ribbon workers 18. Generally, the ribbon workers at the entrance end of the ribbon will be adjusted to provide the greatest pressure and the greatest amount of camber. The pressure and camber are then gradually reduced to provide a straight ribbon at the exit end.

While there has been shown and described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for straightening metallic ribbon of substantially rectangular cross-section both in longitudinal direction and in camber, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of ribbon workers aligned along both sides of a longitudinal line, substantially half of said ribbon workers being mounted upon a fixed arm of a frame which straddles said line and substantially half being mounted upon a pivoting arm; each of said ribbon workers each comprising a rotatable roller mounted in a housing with each of said housings being mounted for arcuate adjustment in a base, each of said bases being individually adjustable toward and away from said line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ribbon workers on either side of said longitudinal line are offset from one another.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein fixed ribbon guides are provided at both ends of said apparatus. 

1. Apparatus for straightening metallic ribbon of substantially rectangular cross-section both in longitudinal direction and in camber, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of ribbon workers aligned along both sides of a longitudinal line, substantially half of said ribbon workers being mounted upon a fixed arm of a frame which straddles said line and substantially half being mounted upon a pivoting arm; each of said ribbon workers each comprising a rotatable roller mounted in a housing with each of said housings being mounted for arcuate adjustment in a base, each of said bases being individually adjustable toward and away from said line.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ribbon workers on either side of said longitudinal line are offset from one another.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein fixed ribbon guides are provided at both ends of said apparatus. 